Quick connect and non-destructive disconnect electrical wiring-connector device

Abstract

An electronic device, e.g., a quartz crystal in an enclosure having three stubby leads for use in an electronic watch, is mounted adjacent to a substrate having three feedthrough holes near its perimeter. Connection between the substrate and the three stubby leads are made simultaneously by three individual connection devices all attached to a tab through individual breakaway neck portions. Each connection device comprises a tail which is forked for insertion by interference fit into the feedthrough holes in the substrate. At the opposite end from the tail is a keyhole opening, in which the larger hole fits over one of the stubby leads and in which a smaller hole can be slid onto the lead by a force fit. Thus, in operation, the bifurcated tails of each device are placed through the feedthrough holes and the keyhole openings of each device are placed over their respective stubby leads. By pulling on the tab common to the three connector devices, the smaller hole of each keyhole opening is force fitted onto the stubby lead, after which the tab is broken away from the respective connector devices at the necked-down portions. A tooling hole in each connector device adjacent the keyhole opening permits removal of individual connector devices, such as by a hooked tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for electrically connecting means for defining a hole lined with electrically conductive material with a lead, comprising the steps of: providing a tab secured by a necked-down portion to an electrically conductive element having a tail and means therein for defining a key-hole opening;   manipulating the tab for inserting the tail into the lined hole and thereby for establishing an electrical coupling therebetween;   manipulating the tab for placing the key-hole means over the lead; and   pulling the tab for engaging the keyhole means by interference fit with the lead and thereafter for separating the tab from the electrically conductive element.